The Montage

VOLUME 55, ISSUE 1

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AUGUST 29, 2019

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G U I LT Y FORMER STLCC EMPLOYEE ACCUSED OF EMBEZZELing $7.5 million in job-training funds pleads guilty Donald l. robison agrees to forfeit $11 million after making millions in investments BRI HEANEY NEWS EDITOR

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n April 2019, STLCC filed a civil lawsit against former employee Donald Robson, who managed a state fund for the college, for breach of contract in connection with an alleged claim that he embezzled no less than $5.4 million.

Robison has since plead guilty to 15 counts of mail fraud, money laundering, and wire fraud in connection to approximately 7.5 million dollars that was allegedly embezzled from the state fund.

“We filed a civil suit back in April,” said Chancellor Jeff Pittman.

According to an Aug. 7 STLCC press release, the college “immediately began an internal investigation and worked in full cooperation with the U.S. Attorney’s Office and FBI.” Pittman said that he is “grateful for a quick investigation and resolution in securing this guilty plea.”

Robison was orderd to forfeit $11 million from the funds that were allegedly invested over the course of 10 years.

Robison is being sued by the state as well and is named in a criminal

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investigation that was pursued by both the state of Missouri and the FBI. “The FBI got involved very quickly,” said Pittman.

The entire team of people involved in bringing information forward in Robison’s embezzelment case were thanked in the colleges most recent PR statement.

“The College sincerely thanks the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the FBI for their quick action in bringing charges and securing Robison’s guilty plea; and also, the College’s internal Response team, BKD CPA & Advisors LLP and

THE FBI GOT INVOLVED VERY QUICKLY.

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CHANCELLOR JEFF PITTMAN

Final Season Review pg. 4

Greensfelder, Hemker & Gale for their hard work on this case.”

In April, Pittman said that school administrators were working to discover how and why funds were being diverted away by Robison to a fictitious company, owned by Robison.

Questions regarding how the funds were managed solely by Robison also surfaced during the investgation.

New Soccer Coach comes to STLCC pg. 8

According to Pittman, STLCC had previously established an arrangement with Missouri’s D e p a r t m e n t of Economic Development whereas the college authorized, administered and dispersed money from the state fund at a 15 percent fee.

Robison had the exclusive privilege within the St. Louis metro area to so while the college also had its own career development program tha tthe funds could be allocated to without PHOTO COURTESY OF STLCC WORKFORCE SOLUTIONS incurring a fee.

In April, Pittman said he was surprised Donald Robison acted as the manager for the workforce solutions group and had the responsibility by the arrangement.

This is not the and sole authority of approving and dispensing the first embezzlement state’s money to third party training forces as well to scandal affecting the school.

STLCC. In 2009, Steven Wyatt Earp, a former Meramec than $25,000 from the STLCC campaign student and political consultant for the Citizens for Education and Job Training.

Proposition E-J campaign was convicted He was ordered to repay $189,000 and of two felony counts for stealing more was sentenced to probation.

Festival of Nations pg. 5

Serving the St. Louis Community College - Meramec community since 1964 • ACP Award Recipient

Meramec Welcomes New President pg. 3

2 NEWS

August 29, 2019

new vpsa looks forward to ‘getting to know students’ Dr. keith robinder joins meramec as the vice president of student affairs OLIVER PULCHER ART & LIFE EDITOR

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t the beginning of the Fall 2019 semester, Meramec gained not only a new campus president, but also a new vice president. Dr. Keith Robinder, vice president of student affairs, began his time with Meramec right around the same time that Dr. Moore-Davis did.

Dr. Robinder, who recently moved to St. Louis, comes from his most recent position as associate dean of students at Iowa State University. He also served as the interim dean of students for two years.

He was attracted to Meramec’s appeal and student-focused mission.

“I have a lot of experience with student affairs and at community colleges,” said Robinder. “I really believe in the mission of meeting students where they’re at and giving them the tools and resources they need to be successful.”

According to Dr. Robinder, the only challenge he anticipates is dealing with the unexpected. “With my job, it’s hard to predict what every day will bring, so you have to be willing to change direction and go where the day takes you.”

Dr. Robinder said he plans to foster students this academic year by, “getting

to know students and being available is the best way to foster students, whether it’s attending events or even just talking to them one on one.”

During his free time, family and travel is his primary focus. “I like to spend time with my family. I like to travel. I like going to Disney World, beaches, and mountains,” he said.

“I also like to eat good food and to garden and spend time outdoors.”

Dr. Robinder has two children.

He has a daughter who is going to college this fall, and he also has a son who is a sophomore in high school. Dr. Robinder says his partner, Wendy, works in TRIO programs and is currently looking for a job in St. Louis before she makes the transition from Iowa.

With a position like the vice president of student affairs, he said he has goals to achieve. “My goals are to learn the campus, meet a lot of people, get to know the systems in place here and build relationships.

Nothing I do here is alone, so there are always a lot of partnerships and a lot of collaboration.”

PHOTO BY SYED ALI

Students with disAbilities

have Access at STLCC.

--- NEWS BRIEFS --NEW CENTER FOR NURSING AND HEALTH SCIENCES STLCC celebrated the opening of the new Center for Nursing and Health Sciences Friday, Aug. 23 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The learning center is comprised of a 96,000 square foot LEED Silver building that will house science labs, classrooms, teaching areas and a dental clinic.

COLLEGE TRANSIT CHALLENGE The Citizens for Modern Tansit and Metro coordinated a College Transit Challenge event on Aug. 28 in an effort to identify the advantages of a public transit system for higher education. The first-ever challenge consisted of tracking ridership via social media to determine schools with the most ridership in the St. Louis area. According to Taulby Roach, president and CEO of Bi-State Development, the goal of the challenge was to spotlight “the fact that academic institutions are helping to support sustainable transit access through transit fare programming.”

St. Louis Community College makes every reasonable effort to accommodate individuals with disabilities. If you have accommodation needs, please contact the Access office at the campus where you are registered. While accommodations may be requested at any time, some accommodations may require many weeks to arrange.

Florissant Valley Access Office 3400 Pershall Road St. Louis, MO 63135-1499 E-mail: fvaccess@stlcc.edu Phone: 314-513-4551 Fax: 314-513-4876 Relay Missouri: 711

Forest Park Access Office

Meramec Access Office

5600 Oakland Ave. St. Louis, MO 63110-1393 E-mail: fpaccess@stlcc.edu Phone: 314-644-9039 Fax: 314-951-9439 Relay Missouri: 711

11333 Big Bend Road Kirkwood, MO 63122-5799 E-mail: mcaccess@stlcc.edu Phone: 314-984-7673 Fax: 314-984-7123 Relay Missouri: 711

Wildwood Student Enrollment and Disability Support Services 2645 Generations Drive Wildwood, MO 63040-1168 E-mail: wwaccess@stlcc.edu Phone: 636-422-2000 Fax: 636-422-2050 Relay Missouri: 711

St. Louis Community College expands minds and changes lives every day. We create accessible, dynamic learning environments focused on the needs of our diverse communities.

Florissant Valley

Forest Park

Meramec

www.stlcc.edu

Wildwood

STLCC PRESENTS STATE OF THE ST. LOUIS WORKFORCE REPORT to community On Aug. 7, Chancellor Dr. Jeff Pittman introduced the findings of the State of the St. Louis Workforce Report at the Forest Park campus. According to the report, the overall employment rate is at record highs, but certain populations have been left behind.

The report offers a compositive picture of the regional economy, as well as survey results from 1,100 employers in 16 categories across 23 industries. For more information, the report can be viewed online at stlcc.edu.

NEWS 3

August 29, 2019

MERAMEC WELCOMES NEW CAMPUS PRESIDENT DR. FELECCIA MOORE-DAVIS’ STORY CHANGED BECAUSE OF COMMUNITY COLLEGE OLIVER PULCHER ART & LIFE EDITOR

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n Aug. 1, 18 days before students were set to start classes at STLCC-Meramec, a new campus president arrived to begin her duties for the semester. Dr. Feleccia Moore-Davis, who previously served as provost and vice president of academic affairs at Tallahassee Community College in Florida, replaced former campus president Dr. Carol Luparduswhen she transferred to the Wildwood Campus in July.

Dr. MooreDavis began her own educational journey as a first generation student in New Orleans, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology. From there, she moved to Texas A&M where she earned her master’s degree in industrial/ organizational psychology, before she moved once more to Regent University in Virginia where she obtained her doctorate in organizational leadership.

“When I graduated with my masters degree, I had no intent of working in community colleges,” said Dr. MooreDavis.

However, that soon changed.

After graduating with her master’s, Dr. Moore-Davis began work consulting for various organizations. During one particular night as a trainer, a department chair for a local community college approached her about possibly teaching

listen to students and staff and to determine any opportunities the college might be missing for faculty, staff and students. She also said she plans to look at what possibilities might be getting missed institution-wide.

The campus president also said that the only major challenge she is currently facing within her position is finding the time to do the things she loves about her work.

For Dr. Moore-Davis, she says these things are listening to the students and helping to support them. She does plan to make time for pizza with the president, among other studentfocused activities, she said.

“I’m going to dive into the data and see how our students are doing,” Dr. Moore-Davis said.

“I’m going to see what their challenges are and where there are opportunities for students. I am also going to have a

““ ”” I’m going to dive into the data and see how our students are doing.

DR. FELECCIA MOORE-DAVIS

a psychology course. She agreed.

“That’s where the story truly changed for me. Being at the community college changed my life. It truly changed my view of things,” said Dr. Moore-Davis.

Her work went well beyond teaching.

“I think I have done it all. I have been faculty. I have been a department chair.

I have done dean, vice president, and provost. And, now I am president here at Meramec,” she said.

Dr. Moore-Davis said that her main goals for this academic year are to

president’s Twitter page so that students can ask me questions they have anytime without having to wait.”

IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER: FALL 2019 Aug 31 - Sept 2 Labor Day holiday (College Closed)

Oct 11 Midterm Exams

Sept 16 12-week classes begin

Oct 14 2nd Half Term (8-week) classes begin

Sept 27 Withdrawal deadline for 1st Half Term (8-week) classes

Oct 22 Professional Development Day (no classes)

Oct 1 Graduation application priority deadline

Nov 4 Spring 2020 Registration begins

EDITORS

Nov 15 Withdrawal deadline for 12-week and 16-week classes Nov 22 Withdrawal deadline for 2nd Half Term (8-week) classes Nov 27- December 1 Fall Break and Thanksgiving holiday (no classes)

EVE COHEN

STAFF WRITER

BRI HEANEY NEWS EDITOR

ISABELLE WILLIAMS

STAFF WRITER

OLIVER PULCHER ART & LIFE EDITOR

JORDAN RAYMOND

STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

MARY WILSON OPINIONS EDITOR ASHLEY BIUNDO PRODUCTION MANAGER SYED ALI PHOTO EDITOR

Shannon Philpott-Sanders Faculty Adviser

Dec 9-15 Final exams Dec 23 Last day the College is open until Jan. 2, 2020

THE MONTAGE

STAFF

JACOB POLITTE ONLINE EDITOR

Dec 8 Last day of semester classes

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Editorial views expressed or content contained in this publication are not necessarily the views of St. Louis Community College, the Board of Trustees or the administration.

The Montage is a student publication produced seven times per semester at St. Louis Community College - Meramec, 11333 Big Bend Blvd., Kirkwood, Mo., 63122.

One copy of The Montage is free of charge. Up to 10 additional copies available, $1 each, at the office of The Montage, SC 220. Bulk purchases may be arranged with circulation manager.

Editorial policy: All letters should be no longer than 500 words and must include identification as a student or faculty member, phone number and address for verification purposes. Phone numbers and addresses will not be published. All letters are subject to editing for content and length. All letters submitted will be published in print and online.

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4 ART & LIFE 10

August 29, 2019

every student KNOW things meramec should

MARY WILSON OPINIONS EDITOR

College can be overwhelming to the most seasoned, well prepared student. For a first time student, just the thought of navigating campus and juggling coursework and jobs can be completely terrifying. Here are ten tips for Meramec students, new and old alike.

Communicate with your professors: This one cannot be over emphasized. Professors are there to help students.

Does this mean they’re going to spoon-feed students answers? No, but they want to see students succeed.

Professors can’t help us if they don’t know what we’re struggling with, so keep the line of communication open.

Read the syllabus and go to Office Hours.

Use good email etiquette: One of the cool things about language is how versatile it is.

We have socially agreed upon norms for how to communicate with our professors, and different socially agreed upon norms for how

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to communicate with our best friends.

No matter how cool your professor is, always use a proper greeting, and include what class and section you’re in.

Do homework when it’s assigned: The trap of procrastination is a tricky one, and once a student falls into it, it’s even harder to escape. No matter how strong the call of Netflix is, it’s best to do homework as soon as it’s assigned. That way, you won’t be caught off guard when the cumulative semester project deadline is in two days.

Use a planner: Whether it’s a physical, hard copy planner, smartphone app, or a spreadsheet on the computer, the use of a planner is instrumental to a student’s success. Unless a student has a photographic memory, forgetting an assignment or deadline is almost guaranteed. Using a planner is a sure way to lessen the chances of missing the due date for that essay that’s worth

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30% of the final grade.

Take advantage of available services: There’s no reason to struggle alone. In addition to talking to your professors, take advantage of the college’s resources. To name just one of Meramec’s resources, the College Writing Center (CWC) is a phenomenal resource for students with any writing project, at any stage.

Register with the Access Office if needed: If a student has a disability and needs accommodations, the Access Office should be their first stop.

It’s better to have accommodations set up and not need them, than to need them and not have them in place, because accommodations are not retroactive. Students can visit the Access Office at AD-120.

Get involved: College is not just about the classes. Meramec has a plethora of clubs and organizations that students can join, and it’s easy to start a new one. Getting involved can help

make the long days of lectures more bearable, and can be a nice break from studying.

Ask for help when you need it: Take it from somebody who’s failed classes instead of asking for help: asking for help is so much easier, and better, in the long run. College classes are hard, and no one is great at every subject. You will not be the first, or the last, to ask for help.

You get out what you put in: Someone who goes to class on a regular basis, does the homework, and studies for tests will get more out of college than someone who doesn’t go to class regularly and ignores class responsibilities.

Practice self care: Find a hobby. Join a sports team.

Make sure you get an adequate amount of sleep.

Drink water. Eat the foods your body needs. Take time to play. Self care is critical to health and success.

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“Orange Is The New Black” slams its cell door shut The final season delivers, even with some stories left unfinished JACOB POLITTE ONLINE EDITOR Orange Is The New Black | Season 7 Release Date: 7/26/2019 All 13 Episodes Now Streaming On Netflix There is no disputing the fact that “Orange Is The New Black” is partly responsible for changing how we as a society consume television. The show, along with “House of Cards,” is primarily responsible for launching Netflix into the stratosphere, and it is the reason they have enjoyed near consistent success since 2013. So many successful Netflix originals like “Stranger Things” or even shows that were saved from cancellation like “Lucifer” may never have reached the heights that they have or even happened at all if not for the success of “House of Cards” and “Orange Is The New Black.”

Both shows are over now; “House of Cards” wrapped up last November with an underwhelming final 8 episodes that were overshadowed by the absence of the disgraced Kevin Spacey, and “Orange Is The New Black” finished just over a month ago at the end of July. Unlike “House of Cards,” the long-running prison ‘dramedy’ gets a chance to go out gracefully and with dignity. For seven years, we’ve followed a large group of diverse women as they navigate and survive a prison system that has become increasingly more cruel and uncaring with each passing season. But now, we’re finally at the end.

Some characters get happy endings, some don’t make it to the end, and some are stuck forever, but find contentment in their lives and a way to move forward.

This final season gives everyone at least a few chances to shine and take one last bow, but the four biggest stories surround the characters of newly released Piper Chapman (Taylor Schilling), Tasha “Taystee” Jefferson (Danielle Brooks), Tiffany Doggett (Tarynn Manning) and the various detainees in the Polycon ICE Detainment Center.

We have to specifically talk about Piper’s arc. While she is not the show’s most beloved character, she was the character that got us to Litchfield in the first place, so it makes sense that the show would follow her postprison journey to its conclusion. While Piper is out of Litchfield Maximum Security after being released

early last season, she is by no means having a good time. Piper is stuck living with her brother and his crazy fiance, she’s struggling to find consistent employment, and she’s already having financial difficulties. On top of this, she’s become estranged from her father and is starting to become estranged from her “wife” Alex (Laura Prepon).

Those financial difficulties, which include having to pay for supervised drug tests as a condition of probation, are preventing her from visiting Litchfield to see Alex often, and begin to become a bigger issue when Piper’s brother and his wife start to ask for rent money. As the season progresses, Piper slowly begins to find her footing and make amends with her family, her former lover and her once best friend, but drifts further away from Alex. Alex herself begins a relationship with a guard, and advises Piper to find someone on the outside. Everyone else tries to convince Piper to do the same, but she chooses to remain loyal to Alex.

Despite Alex being the reason that she ended up in prison in the first place, it’s clear that Piper will never “quit” Alex, and I’m not sure if that’s a good decision or not. However, both seem dedicated to living a better life, so at least there is some hope of the two having a positive future together.

The fact of the matter is that there are so many characters that it’s impossible for me to recap what happens to every single one here. It’s safe to say that while the inmates themselves never do get real justice, the show itself does give them the spotlight that this diverse group of people deserves one last time.

The show could have gone on for longer, but by ending things where they did before the story could get too convoluted and drawn out, the show’s legacy

will always be intact. Orange Is The New Black was undoubtedly one of the most revolutionary shows to ever be broadcast, and in time, it will also become one of the most important.

FINAL GRADE: A-

August 29, 2019

ART & LIFE 5

Festival of Nations

STLCC STUDENTS, STAFF REPRESENTED AT TOWER GROVE CELEBRATION syed ali PHOTO EDITOR

PHOTOS by SYED ALI & EVE COHEN FESTIVAL FUN: STLCC hosted a booth at the Festival of Nations Aug. 24-25 in Tower Grove Park. Pictured bottom left: Kenneth Zaloudek, Meramec Student and Serena Jolly showcase their STLCC school spirit. Top Middle Right: New STLCC employee Matt Sullivan talks with Keith Fuller, Director of Diversity in Human Resources. Bottom Right: Keith Fuller discusses the benefits of attending STLCC with Serena Jolly.

! r e f s n a r T r u o Plan Y souri–St. Louis is

University of M

Join the Team Meetings every Tuesday at 4 PM in SC 220A (Student Center)

Office hours for STLCC Meramec students: Advising Center–Clark Hall MONDAY–TUESDAY Contact Christy Hummel for an appointment: askchristy@umsl.edu or 314-984-7512 WEDNESDAY–FRIDAY Contact Teri Furlow for an appointment: furlowt@umsl.edu or 314-984-7512

Did you know UMSL offers bachelor’s degree completion programs at STLCC?

CHOOSE

Business Administration at STLCC–South County Elementary Education at STLCC–Meramec For more information, contact Teri Furlow, furlowt@umsl.edu

Serious education. Serious value.SM

Contact Shannon Philpott-Sanders at ssanders147@stlcc.edu for more information.

Begin your degree at St. Louis Community College ... finish at Webster University!

Why Webster?

Student-centered. Small class sizes, personalized learning experiences, and dedicated faculty and staff support your success.

Choose from more than 100 programs. Learn from our distinguished faculty in a field you are passionate about.

Ease of transfer. Complete your associate degree or CORE 42 curriculum and transfer seamlessly to Webster to focus on your major and finish your bachelor’s degree.

Transfer scholarships. Webster offers generous scholarships and many other financial aid options to make earning your bachelor’s degree at a private university affordable.

Phi Theta Kappa Honor Roll school. Recognition from PTK for the third consecutive year for our support of community college students.

Global network. Webster has an extensive network of locations around the world, providing unique and exciting study abroad opportunities.

Learn more. webster.edu/transfer • 314-246-7800

EC-3450 Web U_Meramec_0829.indd 1

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OPINIONS 7

August 29, 2019

Jake’s Take: DO SOMETHING

AMERICA MUST FINALLY TACKLE THE ISSUE OF GUN CONTROL JACOB POLITTE ONLINE EDITOR This past month, two separate shootings in El Paso, Texas and Dayton, Ohio have left over 30 people dead, and if the past few years are any indication, they are far from the last mass shootings that the United States will have to grapple with.

That’s because our nation’s government refuses to budge on the issue of guns. While many in Congress would like to see meaningful change on that front, many of the most powerful on Capitol Hill remain static and unmoving on the issue. Whether that is because of the lobbyist money lining their pockets or something else just depends on who you are talking about.

Mass shootings have become almost normalized in America. Every time one happens, the media jumps on it and gives the shooter more noterity than they deserve. Politicians go on camera and offer their “thoughts and prayers” as if those will actually fix anything.

Within a few weeks, with a few notable exceptions like what happened in Parkland, it all vanishes from the news cycle, rarely to be spoken of again. In 2019, mass shootings are just something that happens.

It doesn’t have to be that way. It shouldn’t be.

Many people, such as Neil deGrasse Tyson, have pointed out statistics that show more people die from other things than mass shootings. “Often our emotions respond more to spectacle than to data” he said.

While that comment from Tyson came at an absolutely inappropriate time, those statistics aren’t necessarily inaccurate. The thing is though, it’s not about the stats.

Trevor Noah, host of “The Daily Show,” illustrated that better than I ever could on his Aug. 5 broadcast.

Responding directly to Tyson’s comments, he said, “I feel like it

[Tyson’s comments] fundamentally missed the human element of what people are fighting for in America. And that is: trying.”

He addressed all of the statistics that Tyson brought up, and then responded that when these things go wrong, we try to fix them as best as we can. He continued, “You’re not saying get rid of guns. You’re saying try to minimise the chances of this happening.”

Noah hit it right on the money. While I will never understand why people feel the need to own an AR-15, I also have to acknowledge that getting rid of guns is not the answer. It wouldn’t work and arguably it could make things worse.

There are responsible gun owners who don’t deserve to suffer because some lowlife decided to use one to murder a bunch of people.

So what is the answer? Is it better background checks? Is it a waiting period before being allowed to purchase

one? The truth is I’m not sure.

I don’t know how to solve the issue of mass shootings. It is a question with a very complex answer that won’t please everyone. I do know, however, that the time has finally come to try to answer that question. We have been ignorant for far too long. How many more people will perish before we do something?

Missouri’s war on women

HOW THE NEW ANTI-ABORTION LAW WILL HURT WOMEN MARY WILSON OPINIONS EDITOR On Aug. 28, Missouri House Bill 126, signed into law by Governor Mike Parson, will go into effect. The new law will ban abortions at eight weeks’ gestation, before many women even know they’re pregnant. The law has no exceptions for rape or incest. The Guttmacher Institute reports that nearly one in four women will have an abortion before age 45.

As it stands now, Missouri has harsh restrictions on abortion, and only one clinic in the entire state can perform abortions: the Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region and Southwest Missouri. So what does this mean for Missouri women?

It means more women will die from unsafe abortions.

It means that clinics in neighboring

states with more liberal abortion laws will be busier, causing women to have to drive for long distances, taking time off school, work, and family life to get the procedure.

It means that Missouri women can’t trust our government and elected representatives anymore. Who is able to make the deeply personal choice to terminate a pregnancy? The government, or the woman who’s pregnant?

Nearly one in four women will have an abortion before age 45. That statistic means that abortion isn’t some secluded issue. That statistic means that you know someone who has had an abortion.

Maybe it was your mom. Maybe it was your grandma. Your aunt, your cousin, your sister-in-law, your teacher, your

STUDENTS WEIGH-IN “I think it should be legal. Rape and incest, that’s a big thing. I know some people that are anti abortion, but most of the people I know are for abortions, so I want to agree with them. I don’t know if that means that I don’t have my own opinion, but other people around me, I trust them, that’s why I think abortion should be legal. I’m not MICHAEL SHAW a woman, maybe I am, but I don’t think I am, so I don’t think it’s a man’s issue. For me, I don’t think I have the right to have input.”

classmate, your best friend. Maybe it was you. Missouri--and our nation as a whole---have shown that women’s lives and bodies do not matter.

The women before us fought long and hard for the constitutional right to a safe and legal abortion, and we’re sitting back while their work is quietly undone. We need to get up and fight.

It would be one thing if the antiabortion crowd was actually pro-life, and not just pro-birth. So called prolife people often oppose increased food stamp access, common sense gun control, epanded healthcare for children, access to quality education, and safety net programs. It’s as if they are saying, “You have to carry this pregnancy to term, but we’re not going to help you.”

The Pew Research Center reports that in 2018, 58 percent of the public say that abortion “should be legal in all or most cases.” 37 percent of the public disagree, saying that abortion should be “illegal in all or most cases.” With such a strong percentage of the public saying that yes, abortion should be legal, at least in most cases, it’s frightening that the our elected officials are tossing that aside and using their own personal agendas to hurt women.

As Missouri citizens, we have to make a choice, then fight for it. We can’t sit back and trust that our lawmakers have their constituents’ best interests in mind.

It’s up to us. Who makes the decision to terminate a pregnancy? The government, or individual women?

Missouri’s eight week abortion ban goes into effect on Aug. 28. The law includes no exceptions for rape or incest. What do you think about it?

“I don’t really have an informed opinion. I think people should be able to choose [with] whatever they want to do with their body.

That’s also something that rests with the individual, if they want to make that choice.

But I also think that it’s not a reality for most people. No one really knows what the right choice is until they’re actually put in that predicament.

Which I feel like is not super common, but it does happen, AUSTIN ALLISON so for a large group to say what is allowed or not allowed is kind of inappropriate to say when this never happened to them or probably no one that they know that’s been in that situation.”

KRISTEN CUNNINGHAM

“I really don’t agree with it. It’s their body, so they should have a say. People shouldn’t be deciding about other people’s bodies.

In a rape case, a b o r t i o n should be (legal) because women did not ask for it.”

MARY WILSON OPINIONS SYED ALI PHOTO EDITOR

8 SPORTS

August 29, 2019

New Soccer Coach on the Field

Martin Clayes takes on head coach position ASHLEY BIUNDO PRODUCTION MANAGER soccer his entire life, including four years at Truman State University.

He even started coaching at Truman State University and then went on coaching several teams across the U.S. “I'm originally from Scotland, grew up there, and then came to Truman State University at 18 years old,” said Clayes. “Graduated and moved to St. Louis. I started coaching, pretty much before I finished college and I was the PHOTO BY SYED ALI Martin Clayes, Truman State assistant coach for University Alumni, has taken the role my fifth year of college.” as the new Head Coach for the STLCC When he moved to St. Louis, Clayes Men’s Soccer Team. He has played started coaching youth soccer and

know each other,” Clayes said. “I think we'll just take it game by game and go through the process and see where we are in October and hopefully we're in the top and able to go to districts and

“

I don’t think you get better unless you take care of the ball.

regionals.”

Coaching is very important to Clayes, he said, but so are his players and he said he hopes to develop his team as people and players.

“I don't think you get better unless you take care of the ball and, you know, fast and move and learn the game's intricacies,” he said. “From a style point of view, I want to play in a style that helps them improve so they can move on to the next level. We're here for the students, not the other way around.”

10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

ACTIVITIES:

HEALTH, SAFETY AND RESOURCES AVAILABLE:

Kid’s Corner Petting zoo Pony rides Face painter Raffles Chef’s cook-off Zumba

Cancer Screenings: St. Luke’s Mammography Van from 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

FOOD TRUCKS

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C O L U M B I A C O L L E G E - S T. L O U I S

September 28, 2019

continued to do so across the country. “[Later] I went back to Truman to be the women's assistant coach full time and have been coaching ever since,” he said.

Clayes said he hopes to bring his experience of all levels in soccer to the STLCC Men’s Soccer Program, leading them to a winning season.

“The idea is you recruit not only players to you, but you recruit them back out to bigger, better colleges,” he said. “And since I have coached at several four year schools have a lot of connections in the Soccer World, nationwide. Hopefully, I can be of service to the athletes here, as well as putting a good team out on the field.”

Clayes said that even though this is his first season coaching at STLCC and the team lost most of their starters from last season, he said he has strong expectations for the upcoming season.

“The expectations of the college are high. But we have a new team and a new coach and are still getting to